Gin Kings up versus Energy; Beermen take on Batang Pier
MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra, powerhouse sister teams coming off losses, try to get their respective PBA Governorsí Cup campaigns back on track when they clash with back-to-the-wall foes Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Taking the floor first against Globalport at 5:45 p.m., the Beermen seek to find its winning groove after taking a 97-103 loss at the hands of Talk ëN Text on Saturday.
Ginebra then battles Barako Bull in the 8 p.m. mainer, with the Gin Kings hoping to bounce back from their first loss of the tournament inflicted in a convincing manner by league-leader San Mig Coffee last Sunday.
San Miguel will still be without Marcio Lassiter and could again play minus starting point guard Chris Ross, but the Beermen are still teeming with firepower.
Globalport had brought in a new import in Dior Lowhorn but still sputtered in the second half, blowing a 17-point halftime lead to eventually lose to the Mixers.
At 1-3, the Batang Pier would need to win games starting Tuesday to be able to keep their mathematical chances of making it past this round.
Prior to Sunday night, Globaport was still in the magic circle of eight teams until it lost to Meralco, which won its first game two nights ago.
Only two teams will get the boot after the single-round elimination and the Energy, together with the Bolts and the Batang Pier, are also on the bubble.
Its 1-4 record doesn’t speak of how competitive Barako Bull has become in the tournament under new coach Siot Tanquingcen as each of the Energyís losses has been by narrow margins.
June Mar Fajardo and import Reggie Williams will be the biggest concerns of Globalport, which lost by more than 20 points to the Beermen in a fight-marred tuneup game last month that drew fines from the league commissioner.
Meanwhile, it would be interesting to see how the Kings rebound from the beating they took at the hands of the Mixers.
“We still need mental toughness,” new Ginebra coach Jeffrey Cariaso said, minutes after a 102-90 loss to San Mig Coffee in a game where the Kings had control for more than three quarters.
